The chancellor and founder of the Southern Atlantic University, Uyo, Pastor Bassey James, last week named the digital library in the institution after ex-Gov Udom Emmanuel, after conducting the former governor around the facilities in the newly established university located along Airport Road, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Mr Emmanuel, who was visibly impressed with the enormous facilities at the new institution, lauded Pastor James for his foresight in establishing the university in the state, which has a teeming population of young people eager to acquire tertiary education.
He described the initiative as a bold and courageous investment in education and human capital development and expressed a strong belief that the students in the state and across Nigeria will take full advantage of the new university to acquire a sound education.
Addressing journalists in Uyo on Monday, the founder and chancellor of the university, Pastor Bassey James, explained that the institution chose to honour the former governor because of his tremendous contributions to the development of the state and services to humanity.
He highlighted that other prominent Nigerians, such as the Senate President, Chief Godswill Akpabio, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and Governor Umo Eno, are the next prominent Nigerians who have done so much for humanity and will also be honoured with structures in the institution named after them.
According to him, “I will proudly say that Senator Orji Uzor Kalu personally touched my life in a very positive way, and I cannot tell my success stories without giving him a pride of place. He took me as a brother and allowed me a lifetime to work with him.
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He added, “The story of my relationship with Senator Godswill Akpabio was in the public domain. He is a leader with a Midas touch, whose uncommon transformation of our dear state lifted the state to international reckoning; he is still touching people’s lives to date.
He further averred, “I can also tell you that with the birthing of the university, Akpabioism ideology will be adequately created as a study project because I saw it coming and am proud of what God is doing for the Senate President.”
Speaking further, the varsity founder said the institution will honour Governor Umo Eno for his tremendous contribution to education within the first two years of his tenure as governor and his unparalleled compassion for the vulnerable people.
He further highlighted, “Governor Umo Eno is one leader who has shown commitment to the educational advancement of our children. The model schools built by his administration are the best in the country. The strive to ensure adequate teachers and a more robust welfare for them is legendary, and he is one leader whose heart flows with the milk of human kindness. Look at the compassionate homes for the indigent people and so many other empowerment packages for the people across all 10 federal constituencies of the state.
“We have sent invitations to our great leaders, and we hope to receive them soon, especially to dedicate their Hall of Fame formally.”
He emphasised that the institution with about six international linkages will soon resume full academic session, as registration is currently ongoing for the 15 programmes officially approved by the National University Commission (NUC) for the university.
The founder expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu and the Minister for Education for granting the university a licence and to Governor Umo Eno for the enabling environment provided for academics to take off.
